PJ Lifestyle » Becky Graebnerhttp://pjmedia.com/lifestyle
Because there's more to life than arguing about politicsTue, 31 Mar 2015 21:10:11 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.8.15 Things I Learned In My First 6 Months As a Small Business Ownerhttp://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/2015/03/11/5-things-i-learned-in-my-first-6-months-as-a-small-business-owner/
http://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/2015/03/11/5-things-i-learned-in-my-first-6-months-as-a-small-business-owner/#commentsWed, 11 Mar 2015 18:00:17 +0000http://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/?p=105023

While living in Washington, D.C., I launched a hobby business at the end of August 2014 on Etsy.com, an e-commerce site focused on handmade and vintage goods.

I realized that my little hobby business made me really happy—and the prospect of growing it into something bigger was really exciting. I formed an LLC in October and, by December, I decided to take the leap and build a full-fledged website which went live Friday, March 6, 2015.

Since beginning this journey last August, I have learned quite a few things…

1. Time spent doing “Business Stuff” > Time spent doing “Fun Stuff”

When I initially envisioned myself owning a business, I saw myself spending the majority of my time designing and producing my product—the “fun stuff.”

I laugh now (but happily).

In reality, most of my time is spent “running” the business.

Besides actually creating my product, I also handle all the financial and legal matters, the management of the website and social media accounts, the creation of some promotional graphics, taking photographs of the products, physically packing and shipping items sold… The list is long enough to fill up a 5-day workweek…and then some.

(I’m sure you small business owners out there are nodding like bobble heads right now.)

This is the reality of “small business”–but I like it!

2. Read up on State and Local Sales Tax, as well as Use Tax

Longer explanation not needed—just do it and make sure you collect the right amount.

3. You will spend a lot of time doing little things that nobody sees

Business is a lot like building a house. Although people won’t actually see things like framing or subfloor, you have to spend the money and time to install them–otherwise your house won’t be a well-built house!

Before the “OPEN” sign makes its debut, a lot of time is spent framing the business and completing integral tasks that customers don’t see. For example, setting up accounting software to manage sales, opening bank accounts, weighing products for shipping, etc…

Due to the nature of Wisconsin and its zip codes, I had the pleasure of manually entering 800+ zip codes into BOTH of our e-commerce platforms. It was horrific, but taking the time to enter state sales tax rates correctly was better than the alternative: being penalized by the state or paying the tax myself.

If you take the time to frame your business appropriately, business will run more smoothly once you open–and you won’t have to worry if you cut corners.

4. Even if you are small and just starting out, think about long-term growth

I purchased an accounting software and promptly outgrew it within a few months. Initially, the software was purchased because it integrated with my Etsy.com page. However, once I purchased my own website, I found they didn’t work well together.

If I had been thinking about long-term company goals versus immediate needs, I would have initially bought something that worked with more e-commerce platforms and websites. It wasn’t a huge hitch in the plan to switch accounting software, but it did eat up valuable time and a little bit of money.

5. Assign proper value to your work

When I first started out on Etsy.com, my prices were low. I was more focused on offering products at a price-point I thought conservative shoppers (or my friends) would feel comfortable paying versus proper MSRP.

I broke even in two days—so it wasn’t a disaster of a lesson to be learned—but I regret undervaluing my time and my work. If I had priced my products more fairly, I would have a) made a little bit more money and b) had more money to reinvest in my business!

Don’t undervalue your time, effort, and creativity.

*****

PleasejointhediscussiononTwitter. The essay above is the fourteenth in volume 2 of the cultural discussions between the writers of PJ Lifestyle and Liberty Islandexploring the history of counter-cultures, the future of conservatism and the role of new, emerging counter-cultures in restoring American exceptionalism. Want to contribute? Check out the articles below, reach out, and lets brainstorm: @DaveSwindle

1. De Tomaso Pantera

Produced: 1971-1991

What do you get when you combine an Italian sports car built by an ex-racer and a Yankee Ford V8? The Pantera (and, if you’re Elvis, a new target for shooting).

De Tomaso and Ford teamed up in the early 1970s to produce a mid-engine sports car that was affordable. The project seemed like a good idea—Italian styling and American power? It could work. When the Pantera debuted, it caused a sensation; however, it soon became apparent that the product of this union was extremely unreliable.

Elvis’ Pantera refused to start one day. He shot it…

The Pantera was plagued by shoddy construction, an over-heating engine, complicated wiring, and expensive repairs. It also had a penchant for drinking oil… Ultimately, the ailing Italian-American monster was killed by the gas crisis. Ford stopped importing the car in 1975.

1. Citroën SM

In 1961, Citroën began development on a vehicle called “Project S.” By 1968, Citroën had acquired Maserati and, subsequently, all of their high-performance technology. French and Italian forces combined, resulting in the Citroën SM which contained a Maserati V6 and a Citroën suspension. The SM’s speed, power, dynamic styling, and ingenious technical features were extremely innovative for the time. The SM even set a land speed record in 1987 at the Bonneville Salt Flats!

The SM might not have been wildly popular, but it definitely deserves a place on this list.

This list is an amalgamation of the winning-est, most iconic, and most talented Formula One drivers to ever live. I purposefully left off drivers who are currently active because their history is still being written.

10. Mario Andretti

Mr. Andretti is an icon in the United States’ race world—and rightfully so. With wins in NASCAR, IndyCar, the World Sportscar Championship, and Formula One, Andretti is one of the most successful Americans in his sport.

Andretti moved from Italy to the United States when he was 15 years old. Having already been bitten by the racing bug while in Italy, Mario and his brother Aldo continued racing on dirt tracks near their home in Pennsylvania. Andretti came to F1 in 1968 and held the pole at his debut race, the 1968 United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen. He was active in F1 for fifteen years, eventually winning the 1978 championship. Out of 128 starts, he had 12 wins and 18 poles.

]]>http://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/2014/06/14/the-10-greatest-formula-1-racers-of-all-time/feed/010 of the Most Ultra Rare Automobiles in the Worldhttp://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/2014/06/08/10-of-the-most-ultra-rare-automobiles-in-the-world/
http://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/2014/06/08/10-of-the-most-ultra-rare-automobiles-in-the-world/#commentsSun, 08 Jun 2014 16:00:07 +0000http://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/?p=87248Click here to view the embedded video.

1. Ferrari 250 GTO

I admitted in my Ferrari post that this is one of my favorite cars of all time. I mean, just look at it!

This GT car was produced in two distinctly styled bodies from 1962 to 1964. The ’62 and ’63 GTOs were Sergio Scaglietti designed and produced and came to be known as “series I.” In 1964, a limited number of GTOs were produced by Scaglietti, but fitted with a body designed by Pininfarina. This styling was subsequently known as “series II.” In all, thirty-six GTOs were produced.

This car is not simply famous for its Ferrari good looks or small production numbers, but for its dominance on the track. The 250 GTO had several successes: winning the GT category at Le Mans in 1962 and 1963, winning the Nurburgring 1000 km in 1963 and 1964, and taking the Tour de France in 1963 and 1964 (just to name a few).

To many car collectors, the 250 GTO has become akin to the “Holy Grail.” In 2012, a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO that was specifically built for Stirling Moss reportedly sold for $35 million.

1. Ford Mustang

Where does one even start when talking about the Ford Mustang? This car has become the embodiment of America’s love affair with speed and muscle. This iconic Ford instigated the creation of the “pony car” classification of automobiles and prompted competing car manufacturers to crank out America’s other favorite muscle cars. For Ford, the Mustang was (and continues to be) a smash hit.

The first Mustang debuted at the New York World’s Fair in April of 1964. It was originally equipped with a 260-cubic-inch (4.3L) V8 but was quickly upgraded to a 289-cubic-inch (4.7L) V8 in its first year. By 1968, the Mustang was outfitted with a 302-cubic-inch (4.9L) V8. The following year, Ford released several performance packages for the Mustang including the Boss 302, Mach 1, and Boss 429. The speed and power had arrived.

1. Helene (de Rothschild) van Zuylen

Ms. Van Zuylen is a name that many people probably find unfamiliar. It is a shame because this adventurous French socialite is credited as being the first woman to compete in an international motor race.

Helene’s husband, Baron Etienne van Zuylen, was the president of the Automobile Club of France, and thus responsible for organizing the 1898 Paris-Amsterdam-Paris Trail, a 889-mile city-to-city race. Helene participated (and finished) The Trail, becoming the first woman to ever compete in an international race.

I attempted to make a list of the world’s most beautiful cars but it turned out to be way too long for any sane person to read in one article. However, during my list making, I realized that I was strongly favoring the Italians. I decided to compile a list of the most beautiful Ferraris.

Before anyone chokes on their spaghetti because I did not include their favorite Ferrari, please note that this list only includes Ferrari road cars. There are no sport prototypes/ racecars or Ferrari collaborations (i.e. Dino and Zagato). (My own favorite isn’t even included here because it is technically a racecar.) We can cover them later.

It’s always a special treat when a trip to the grocery store or dentist turns into a rare car-spotting experience. A forgotten classic or exotic is seen prowling the streets or, even better, appears in the parking lot next to your car. Cue daydream starring you in that exotic car. Maybe you’re in Monaco, driving into the sunset when…

Then you see it. Your daydream starring your gorgeous, oil-drinking darling is shattered as one of the many eye-sores on wheels pulls into the parking lot. Tragedy.

Why oh why can’t everything be as glamorous as the Alfa Romeo Touring Berlinetta or as muscular as the Shelby Cobra?

Yes, sometimes the most misunderstood of car designs become iconic classics; but sometimes, they don’t. This is a list of the latter.

Editor’s Note: This article was first published in February of 2013. It is being reprinted as part of a new weekend series at PJ Lifestyle collecting and organizing the top 50 best lists. Where will this great piece end up on the list? Reader feedback will be factored in when the PJ Lifestyle Top 50 List Collection is completed in a few months…

Automobiles are everywhere, so it might come as a shock to some that the culture surrounding their creation and appreciation is dying. America has a long, rich history with the automobile — to the extent that you could call it a love story. Many a man and woman have been bewitched by the thundering horses under the hood, the smell of rich leather, the pulsing power felt underfoot, and the consequential adrenaline rush from a short spin around the block. The automobile is an essential piece of the cultural fabric of America. We helped to invent it, fine-tune it, unleash it… and, in the end, we fell in love with it. Owning a car became a source of pride, as well as a symbol of success and freedom. What’s more American than the image of a green, 1940s Chevy pick-up driving down a stretch of Route 66, a tan arm resting on the rolled-down window, fingers feeling the wind? It makes you want to yell, “America!” and go drink a Coke on the 4th of July.

Unfortunately, I’m not so sure this vision is a reality anymore. The vibrant love between car and man that inspired an entire culture of auto devotees now seems to be dwindling. The gear-head enthusiasts will always motor on, I am sure, but what happened to the average American? Simple respect and appreciation for the metal beast has shifted to sheer disinterest in cars. The following is the sad, draft-obituary of America’s car culture…